"Those who count on quote 'Hollywood' for support need to understand that this industry is watching very carefully who's going to stand up for them when their job is at stake. Don't ask me to write a check for you when you think your job is at risk and then don't pay any attention to me when my job is at stake,"

This certainly follows what many people assumed was happening, and fits with the anonymous comments from studio execs that they will stop contributing to Obama, but to be so blatant about this kind of corruption and money-for-laws politics in the face of an extremely angry public is a really, really, really tone deaf response from Dodd.

It shows, yet again, that he just doesn't get it. People were protesting not just because of the content of these bills, but because of the corrupt process of big industries like Dodd's "buying" politicians and "buying" laws. To then come out and make that threat explicit isn't a way to fix things or win back the public. It's just going to get them more upset, and to recognize just how corrupt this process is. If Dodd, as he said in yesterday's NY Times, really wanted to turn things around and come to a more reasonable result, this is exactly how not to do it. It shows, yet again, a DC-insider's mindset. He used Fox News to try to "send a message" to politicians. But the internet already sent a much louder message... and, even worse for Dodd, he bizarrely sent his message in a way that everyone who's already fed up with this kind of corruption can see it too. It really makes you wonder what he's thinking and how someone so incompetent at this could keep his job.

The MPAA doesn't need a DC insider explicitly demanding the right to buy laws and buy politicians. The MPAA needs a reformer, one who helps guide Hollywood into the opportunities of a new market place. The MPAA needs someone who actually understands the internet, and helps lead the studios forward. That's apparently not Chris Dodd.

Public Knowledge issued a fantastic statement that not only highlights the ridiculousness of Dodd's threats, but also the hypocrisy of the Hollywood studios on this issue:

Public Knowledge welcomes constructive dialog with people from all affected sectors about issues surrounding copyright, the state of the movie industry and related concerns. Cybersecurity experts, Internet engineers, venture capitalists, artists, entrepreneurs, human rights advocates, law professors, consumers and public-interest organizations, among others should be included. They were shut out of the process for these bills.

We suggest that in the meantime, if the MPAA is truly concerned about the jobs of truck drivers and others in the industry, then it can bring its overseas filming back to the U.S. and create more jobs. It could stop holding states hostage for millions of dollars in subsidies that strained state budgets can’t afford while pushing special-interest bills through state legislatures. While that happens, discussions could take place.

I don't see what the issue is here. They donated money to campaigns for those they believed to protect their interests. If the politicians are no longer protecting their interests they pull their support and their funds. This makes sense to me.

I don't see what the issue is here. They donated money to campaigns for those they believed to protect their interests. If the politicians are no longer protecting their interests they pull their support and their funds. This makes sense to me.

This, I'm personally glad they are no longer on the payroll of the Shinra ...er.. I mean MPAA.

where is it the governments business to protect the entertainment industry?

It never is. However, it has always been a mutual understanding for almost forever that campaign donations and kickbacks from corporations and interest groups is essentially a "you owe me when the time comes" kind of ticket. Unfortunately, they have done enough with SOPA/PIPA to upset voters to point that most of these congressman are starting to realize they have to choose between funding or voters, and they are choosing voters.

Every issue with this country's politics comes down to one thing: Campaign financing. We really need reform. Out politics have become all about money, and our laws are written by lobbyists. Its a sad, sad state.

If the US government have any balls, the MPAA will be forced shut down on Monday. If they think they're powerful enough to override the will of the people and threaten the government in public, then they should expect an equally public beatdown at the hands of the government.

I don't see what the issue is here. They donated money to campaigns for those they believed to protect their interests. If the politicians are no longer protecting their interests they pull their support and their funds. This makes sense to me.

The issue is that the government does protect their interests, the government has done nothing to harm the entertainment industry. "Protecting their interests" means that their preferred government will consider the impact of change on their business. It DOES NOT give them the right to dictate changes for their personal and illegitimate gain, and then throw their toys out the pram and blackmail the government when they don't get their way, and especially when those changes are at odds of the will of the people. Governments should not be for sale, period.

If the US government have any balls, the MPAA will be forced shut down on Monday. If they think they're powerful enough to override the will of the people and threaten the government in public, then they should expect an equally public beatdown at the hands of the government.

The issue is that the government does protect their interests, the government has done nothing to harm the entertainment industry. "Protecting their interests" means that their preferred government will consider the impact of change on their business. It DOES NOT give them the right to dictate changes for their personal and illegitimate gain, and then throw their toys out the pram and blackmail the government when they don't get their way, and especially when those changes are at odds of the will of the people. Governments should not be for sale, period.

They have the right to donate their money to support politicians that put forth legislation that they agree with. If the politician no longer supports that legislation, why should they continue to financially support them?